“Missed Connections” personal ads were around before Craigslist made them so popular, but they go back even further than you might think. From the General Advertiser of London, March 30, 1748:

Whereas, on Saturday last, a lady, genteely dressed, was seen to lead a string of beautiful stone horses through Edmonton, Tottenham, and Newington - this is to acquaint her, that if she is disengaged and inclinable to marry, a gentleman who was on that occasion is desirous of making honorable proposals to her; in which state if he be not so happy as to please, he will readily purchase the whole string for her satisfaction.

Reprinted in Lapham’s Quarterly, winter 2009 (the “Eros” issue).